Barney's Blog

Win 8 Apps Beat OS to Market

Imagine you are in the process of designing and building a brand new mass market motorcycle. The bike is due around the end of next year. Would you, as the manufacturer start offering parts 10 months early? Microsoft apparently would, as it plans to open up a Windows 8 apps store in two months.

But the store is not selling unfinished apps for an unfinished OS. The store will only offer free apps for all you Win 8 previewers.

It could also be a boon to Redmond. Once apps are actually sold Microsoft will siphon 30 percent of the proceeds. Once you sell more than $25,000 worth, the Redmond cut falls to 20 percent.

Are you a fan of the Apps Store concept? Cheers or jeers both readily accepted at dbarney@redmondmag.com.